diff --git a/drivers/net/ns83820.c b/drivers/net/ns83820.c
index e80294d8cc19..9266502b5588 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ns83820.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ns83820.c
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ static int lnksts = 0;		/* CFG_LNKSTS bit polarity */
 struct rx_info {
 	spinlock_t	lock;
 	int		up;
-	long		idle;
+	unsigned long	idle;
 
 	struct sk_buff	*skbs[NR_RX_DESC];